Liquid distributor for dividing a constant or variable stream of liquid into two partial streams



INGER 2,582,523 ING A CONSTANT 0R VARIABLE TWO TIAL STREAMS n.- 5, 1952 J. BEGL LIQUID DISTRIBUTOR FOR DIVID STREAM OF LIQUID INTO Filed Aug section Fig. 322 along 2m".

Patented Jan. 15, 1952 LIQUID DISTRIBUTOR og nrvmmd A NST NT TOR .V AB ESTR A DF LIQUID INTO TWO PARTIAL STREAMS Jacques Bcgling'eryBasel, Switzerland, assignorto LR. Geigy A. G Basel, Switzerland-,a Swiss company Apmi-cadonnugusu, 1e4a-seriamo.1on9 Iii-Switzerland August 6,1948

For technical purposes it is very often necessary to divide ast'ream of liquid (which itself can be varied at will) in a certain proportion (which, again, must be capable of variation). An example of this is afiorded, in the case of a fractionating column, by the division of the condensate into a part which is collected and a part which is used for reflux i. e., by the regulation of the proportion of the reflux, this proportion ..-being very important for the proper progress of the rectification. I

In many cases this division is achieved by measuring the two parts of the stream with liquid metering instruments and then setting to the ratio required by adjusting stop-cocks "of valves. This has the disadvantage, however, that the accuracy of the ratio is not guaranteed when the primary stream is altered and that, furthermore, calculation and rather delicate re-adjustments are necessary. This can be very tedious when continual changes in the ratio in which the liquid is split up are necessary.

In other cases the required distribution is brought about by allowing the primary stream to flow over a wier, dividing up the overflow widthwise in the required proportion and then leading off the two parts of the stream separately. This arrangement has the disadvantage of yielding inexact results when the primary stream is small or when extremes in the ratio of distribution occur (in the first case because of the small height of overflow with-consequent extra sensitivity to variations from a horizontal position and in the second case because of the end contractions of the smaller part of the overflow).

In the following a distributor will be described which works on another principle and is designed to overcome the disadvantages of the systems mentioned above. This description is given with reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a relationship of parts according to the present invention;

Fig. 2a is an elevational view of a further relationship of parts incorporating the relationship according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 2b is a sectional view taken along line I-I of Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3a is a sectional view, taken along line IIIIII of Fig. 3b, of a complete apparatus according to this invention;

Fig. 3b is a sectional view taken along line II-II of Fig. 3a; and

Fig. 3c is a diagrammatic development of the 2 claims. (01. 137-166) '12 I The principle may be seen fromFig-ures --1- (plan View) and 2a (elevation view);

The stream of liquidis led through on-e-or sev- -eral tubes 5 (see Fig. lplan view), which are arranged to rotate at a constant and nroderate speed around a vertical axis, and then streams into a circular-cylindrical vessel [I5 on a horizon- .tal circular path with radius-r. ,The stream is caught in "two compartments formed by two 11adiallyyarranged partitionsof which one 3) is fixed and the other (4) canbe'rotata'bly adjusted about the vertical axis of the apparatus. -I he flow can thus be dividedup in the ratio of the angles of arc u-and,(21r-)-, i. e., in the ratio a: (2vr u), and led off -throughthe outlets -l and By turning the novablepartition 4 the angular ratio can be adjusted to correspond with the ratio desired. Partition 3 is sealed ofi from the axis with pieces of leather or rubber strips, while partition 4 is similarly sealed ofi from the wall and bottom of the vessel I5 in order to make a clean separation between the compartments corresponding to the angles a and (21r-a) In the case of liquids which are liable to cause trouble if such methods of sealing are employed, the angular sections a or (21ra) can be divided ofl as shown diagrammatically in Figs. 2a (elevation view) and 2b (section through line I-I of Fig. 2a). For the production of the incoming stream rotating with moderate speed around the circumference 2w the liquid to be divided up can suitably be led through the stationary tube 6 into a collector l9, which rotates about a vertical axis. One or more outlet tubes 5 are built into the vessel I 9 so that the liquid flows into them as near to the axis as possible in order to minimize the effect of any slight tilting of the apparatus. These tubes, 5, lead radially outwards and pass downwards through the bottom of the vessel l9. They are constricted more or less in the form of jets at the outlet end so as to produce a smooth stream. The inlets to the tubes 5 are arranged at varying heights so that, according to the volume of flow, the first, then the sec ond, next the third tube etc. come into action. This ensures that all the tubes 5, with the exception of the highest one which lies just at the liquid-level, discharge a full stream of liquid. This arrangement very largely eliminates any possibility of error due to discharge streams not running quite smoothly and regularly. At the same time it enables one and the same apparatus to be used for working with either small or large quantities of liquid. The quantity of the primary stream may vary through a range of 1:100 or even more. The outlets 5 lead into the segmentadjuster I and the vessel l5 respectively. The contents of the segment-adjuster 1 flow through outlet l into the vessel 15 underneath, i. e. only in the 8i30ff0l1t18t 2.- The liquid intake of the area corresponding tothe angle'a flows out by the outlet I, while the liquid intake of the area corresponding to the angle 21r--a flows out by the outlet 2.

Figs. 3a, (section through line IIIIII of'Fig. 3b), 31), (section through line II'II of Fig. 3a) and 30 (development of the section along 211'), show sections of one form of the complete apparatus. I5 is the vessel with a cover H and an air outlet IS. The stream of liquid is led in through the tube 6. I9 is the rotatingcollectorvessel, driven by the motor I3. 20 is a. device intended to ensure that the liquid level remains smooth during entry into the tubes 5. I is a movable segmental adjusting means, hereafter called segment-adjuster by-means of which the angle a or (21-01) is divided ofi between the edges of the partition 8 and I itself. The 1iquid emerging from I at H] can enter only into the area served by outlet 2,'which is separated by the walls 8 and 9 from the other area of vessel I5, served by outlet Wall 8 is sufliciently high to serve as a stop for the segment-adjuster I. To permit full rotation of 1 within an angle of 1r(180) a pocket It is formed in 8 at the level of outlet ID. The segment-adjuster I is made with a corresponding pocket I'I. This arrangement permits adjustment to cover all out-flow ratios of outlet ltoutlet 2 from 0 to 1, i. e. of outlet 2: outlet 1:1 to

Thus, by fitting the exit tubes at l and 2 outside the apparatus with coupled stop-cocks any desired continuous division of a liquid stream, on purely geometrical principles, can be achieved.

I2 is an indicator which shows the desired outflow ratios on the scale M. I2 is attached to the shaft of the segment-adjuster I.

What I claim is:

1. A liquid distributor comprising a. rotatable cylindrical container incorporating at least two radial outlet tubes leading outwards and downwards, the inlet ends of the said tubes being arranged near the axis and at difierent heights, a cylindrical vessel mounted axially beneath said container, containing a fixed partition forming two completely separate semicircular compartments, with a semi-circular segment-adjuster movable angularly above said compartments, incorporating an outlet into one of the said compartments, and an outlet for every one of the said compartments.

2. In a liquid distributing system, a rotatable cylindrical container incorporating at least two radial outlet tubes leading outwards and downwards, the inlet ends of the said tubes being arranged near the axis of said container and at difierent heights.

JACQUES BEGLINGER.

REFERENCES CITED .The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,100,649 Bennett June 16, 1914 2,368,990 James Feb. 6, 1945 

